Supporters of a Staffordshire football club have helped to raise more than £23,000 to help keep their team afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The cancellation of the 2019/20 step 3 to 6 non-league seasons by the FA last month means Stafford Rangers, like nearly all non-professional clubs, face an uncertain future with their wealth of finance largely dependent on gate income on a week-by-week basis.
Boro revealed that a ‘Business Continuity Group’ had been set up in the wake of the outbreak to manage finances and “protect the club” during this period.
Through its Stand Together campaign, fan donations, “virtual matchday sales” and share sales have seen a whopping £23,000 collected as of Monday evening (April 6), according to the club’s website.
Nearly £2,500 of this was through donations alone.
Director and Vice Chair of Stafford Rangers said: “The response has been just fantastic, and we are humbled and grateful for people’s generosity at a time of such uncertainty, hardship and concern. We really do have some of the best fans in the country, loyal and so supportive.”
Boro has set a target of £50,000 to get them through this period, with £25,000 hopefully coming in from Government grants, it said.
A spokesperson for Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit stated: “The initial target was set to cover a financial deficit the club had at the end of February as a result of some bad decisions off the pitch, made worse by the poor set of results throughout the season.
“On the pitch the club experienced an unprecedented number of injuries throughout the season to many players on contract, which further exacerbated the difficulties.
“The club recognises that the position they find themselves in is also a wakeup call and accepts that whilst fundraising initiatives are imperative many things need to be looked at in the forthcoming months.”
Club Finance Manager Paul Griffiths added: “Even with the club in lock down and no activity on or off the field we need £6,000 per month to cover fixed costs.”
The club said it will now look to install new directors into the management team and also said it was on the search for a new manager after previous joint-boss Alex Meechan was let go on Monday.
The club announced on Tuesday that fellow joint-manager Andy Fearn had become a Director of Football and, until a new manager is appointed, will “oversee everything in relation to discussions with players.”
John Hayne, another club director commented: “It is likely that the playing budget will need to be cut for the next season as the club seeks to formulate budgets that are within the clubs finances and the uncertainties that will have to be dealt with in the future.”
Chairman John Bromley added: “We must now look at everything again and look at new things and will be looking in detail about how we change. New board members are needed, more people to share the responsibilities and a sea change of process changes”
The club went on to confirm that NHS workers will be given a free season ticket for the 2020/21 campaign when it starts as a thank you for their selfless efforts amid coronavirus.
Click to follow Sport in Staffs for all our latest articles on:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
WE HAVE MOVED! 